Click to play videoNew Delhi: No foreign tourist can re-enter India within two months of leaving the country, according to a new law being implemented by the Union Home Ministry.
The US and UK - most affected by the Home Ministry's new rule - are not impressed. Even the Ministry of External Affairs Minister is not in favour of the rule.
UK's message to India in response to the new rule is to keep terrorists out and not the tourists.
British High Commissioner to India Sir Richard Stagg is all for stringent background checks on applicants and a thorough investigation of their links with Pakistan
But he can't understand why a tourist cannot re-enter India for two months once he or she leaves the country.
"It's bad news for India if tourists can't come back for two months. We need to work through the unintended consequences of this decision with the Indian government," says Sir Richard Stagg.
The new rule is already being implemented and those affected, mostly long term multiple entry visa holders from US and UK, are complaining loudly.
"I am not asking for an exception, just questioning the wisdom of such a rule. Frankly, if the Indian economy does not want a few hundred to a thousand tourist dollars which is what I normally spend, I guess India has come of age and joined the ranks of elite nations," said Indian American S Dakshinamoorthy in an e-mail sent to MEA.
The Home Ministry says the new rule is to improve scrutiny of people like David Coleman Headley, an alleged terrorist who misused his long term multiple entry visa.
On the other hand the MEA feels the decision is knee jerk and lacks logic.
But it will be relieved that UK will not retaliate by tightening its rules for Indians.
It's not part of our philosophy to change the way we issue visas as a result of the way other countries do for our citizens," adds Stagg.
The Home Ministry and the External Affairs Ministry are not on the same page on this issue.
in the future, they will hope to balance security concerns and India's good relations with friendly countries.
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